P0625

Generator Field/F Terminal Circuit Low

Charging system Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0625 means the voltage on the generator (alternator) field terminal circuit is lower than expected, which points to a charging-system problem. It's commonly a failing alternator, a wiring/connection fault at the field terminal, or a weak battery. The engine runs, but the battery may not be charging properly, so it's worth fixing before you're left with a dead battery.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Drivable short-term, but the charging system may be underperforming — a draining battery can eventually leave you stranded, so address it soon.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

825

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.2%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0625 scans

P0113in 35.8% of scans

P0101in 30.9% of scans

P0562in 26.6% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Battery/charging warning light on
Check-engine light on
Dim or flickering headlights and interior lights
Weak battery, slow cranking, or a battery that keeps discharging

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty alternator/generator or its internal voltage regulatorLikely
Wiring fault or corrosion at the generator field (F) terminal circuitCommon
Poor ground or power connection to the charging systemCommon
Weak or failing battery skewing the charging feedbackLess often
Faulty engine/powertrain control module driving the field circuit, rareLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Measure charging voltage at the battery with the engine running (should be roughly 13.5–14.7 V).
Inspect the generator field (F) terminal wiring and connector for damage or corrosion.
Test the battery and clean/tighten the battery and ground connections.
Have the alternator bench-tested if voltage is low and wiring is good.
Replace the alternator or repair the circuit as indicated, then clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0625?+

For a short distance, but if the battery light is on the charging system may not be keeping up. Plan on a diagnosis before the battery drains and the car won't restart.

Can I just clear P0625?+

It returns while the field circuit or alternator is faulty. Confirm charging voltage and fix the underlying charging problem instead of just clearing.

Read & clear P0625 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX